TEMPEST AT ANNABEL'S LIGHTHOUSE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"I made my vows, and I shall keep them.
Even in death we shall not part."

What a remarkable book! Blending three timelines, the author creatively introduces her readers to one woman whose tragic drowning inspired legends of ghostly proportion, to another whose memories blotted out the worst of the worst until she came face to face with the truth, and to yet another who sought to tell the entire story and ended up re-writing chapters of her own.

When non-fiction writer Shea Radclyffe arrives in the historic mining town of Silverton, what she manages to ferret out about the infamous Annabel was sparse at best, no one in the tight-knit community was eager to divulge the town's best kept secrets. Whether it was out of ignorance or stubbornness was of little import, Shea was determined to make the most of her time away, enjoying a respite from her slowly disentegraing marriage; staying on the grounds of Annabel's Lighthouse was a bonus, right? . . . or not. It seems that Annabel is not ready to leave the Michigan shoreline just yet.

There are some valuable life lessons to be found within the pages of this tempestuous tale; greed never pays, cruelty is a harsh taskmaster, secrets often do more harm than good, and love . . . "love protected, it trusted, it hoped. And always, no matter the personal cost, it persevered".
* I purchased a copy and was not obligated to provide a favorable review. 4.5 stars 

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
Where the lighthouse no longer illuminates, ghostly lore and legends emerge . . .

1874
A battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior's southern shore. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the lake's unforgiving waves years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, more is at stake than reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel's as well.

Present Day
Author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic Michigan mining town to seek clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse's landlord, Shea contends with the legend of Annabel's vengeful ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the truth about a current murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel's lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight between torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love.

. . . demanding vengeance for secrets that should have drowned a century before. 

Bethany House Publishing, April, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy TEMPEST AT ANNABEL'S LIGHTHOUSE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

SPECTERS IN THE GLASS HOUSE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(A Haunting Dual-Time Inspirational Gothic Suspense Book)

 REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"Death was a fashionable thing. But admitting to others that you saw the dead regularly? That was not."

Marion Arnold, heiress to a brewery baron, has been dealt a triple blow; her mother is dead, her father is dead, and due to prohibition her inheritance is hanging by a thread, although some might consider Mullerian Manor near Milwalkee, Wisconsin to inhabit death as well. Tucked deep into the forest, the mansion was the perfect place for her father to effectively hide his eccentric wife and where Marion's mother could encompass herself with nature's sacred butterflies . . . until her untimely demise.

Years later a young research assistant, Remy Shaw, arrives at the mysterious property to aid a prominent biographer in his attempt to uncover the many layers surrounding Mullerian Manor, including the historic Butterfly Butcher, a serial killer whose identity had never been revealed. Upon arrival, Remy encounters one odd experience after another, including links to her own shadowy past, as well as that of Marion Arnold. When a supposed descendant of the Arnold family shows up, the story takes a dramatic turn for the worse, and Remy is left wondering if she has more in common with Mullerian Manor and its illusive mistress that she thought.

So much to love! A myriad of life lessons to ponder. A story that twists and turns deliberately into blocked entrances, hidden rooms, and butterflies . . . always the butterflies. In essence it's a story about belonging and believing and accepting God's imprint, no matter how curious and unique it is. "You are wanted."

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer.

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

BUY SPECTERS IN THE GLASS HOUSE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

SPECTERS IN THE GLASS HOUSE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

(A Haunting Dual-Time Inspirational Gothic Suspense Book)

“The story is like a road that vanishes into the fog. No one knows where it leads, or where it ends.”
Spooky vibes and not knowing what is real. I love how this author taunts us with the unexplainable and by the end of the story things have a reason. But the fun is in the journey of following the mysterious events and how they connect the past with the present.

The characters are complex and relatable. The faith thread is present with lessons to take away. 

“You are wanted.” 

“You have to choose to believe that when your world is shuttered and dark with unknown danger, life is still worth fighting through. That God sees into it, even when you do not. That you will come out the other side with purpose.”

A favorite character was Felix, a survivor of World War I, and even though he lost a leg, was strong, resilient, and wise.

This was a fascinating look at the aftermath of prohibition, and how the past joined with the present to unveil a bit of the struggles of a broken mind. I was captivated by the plot and the sheer poetry of the descriptions. “The tentacles of danger slithered along the edge of the room, invisible, black, vines, creeping up the walls, like a vineyard of omens around her. Omens of something unpredictable, dark and invasive.”

Another outstanding book by a talented author.
*A complementary copy of this book was provided by Bethany house through Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

 
BackCover Blurb:
An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer.

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

BUY SPECTERS IN THE GLASS HOUSE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

WHEN MEMORY WHISPERS by Johnnie Alexander, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

“Every day in a life fills the whole life with expectation and memory.” C. S. Lewis 

 
Annalise has so many memories that she wants to pass on. “For a while the anguished memories that so often disturbed her sleep left her alone while she dreamed of happier times.” She chooses to confide in Jenna, a young woman she met in the cemetery while she visits her beloved Rolf and Jenna visits her mother’s grave.
 

As she recounts her story to Jenna, Annalise is caught up in the memories of a wartime romance, WWII intrigue, and a grateful heart that God sent the right people into her life to show their faith at just the right time.
 

This story is full of danger, covert meetings, hidden identities, spy craft, a seemingly impossible romance and searching for meaning and how God provides in difficult situations. It is a powerfully written lesson in resilience and a growing faith in God amid trying conditions in wartime and its aftermath. “Not broken bits, they are delicate memories. Cherished memories.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a strong faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
What will she risk to save the man she loves?

Marie Wyatt ran away from her farm girl past in search of fame and fortune and found herself in wartime London working as an Allied courier. Whether disguised as a middle-aged British housewife or playing a role on the London stage, she acts her part to its fullest. But when a routine mission turns deadly, a mysterious German agent becomes her unlikely savior.

Plunged into a dangerous game of deception, Marie relies on her acting talent to pass false information to the Nazis. Yet the line between duty and loyalty blurs when the German agent is imprisoned in a Florida POW camp with Axis soldiers who consider him a traitor. Marie embarks on a desperate mission to save him before he’s fatally injured.

In a postwar world still reeling from conflict, the couple’s lives are again threatened by a past enemy. Will they ever find the peace they crave? Or will the echoes of war destroy them?

Plummet into a heart-wrenching tale of courage, treachery, and a love that defies all odds.

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

THE HUDSON COLLECTION by Jocelyn Green, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

When I pick up a Jocelyn Green book, I know I’m going to read an intricately-researched story filled with rich historical detail. The Hudson Collection is no exception. Set in New York in the 1920s, it’s a perfect blend of history, suspense, and romance, with some inspiration thrown in to enhance it. Green is a master at creating engaging, flawed, realistic characters which she proceeds to toss into riveting situations. She then brings them out the other side with a noticeable increase in personal growth.

I enjoyed the main characters in this tale. Elsa is an ornithologist with the American Museum of Natural History in New York, who is dealing with the aftereffects of having polio as a child. When she is assigned to catalog the birds at the country estate of a deceased patron, she finds more than she bargains for—including some new friends and a mystery. Architectural salvage dealer Luke Dupont is an endearing, compassionate hero, and it was so easy to like him. I admired the way he was so caring and considerate with others, especially Elsa. I was impressed with the way they helped each other become better versions of themselves.

“People can be salvaged. Relationships can be restored. We can save the beautiful that remains and build upon that, can’t we?”

Themes of acceptance of others, the value of family relationships, and the worth of each individual stood out to me while I was reading. I recommend this book and author to those who enjoy historical romantic suspense.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own.

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Step into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green.

Elsa Reisner's lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.

As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate's delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants' futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa's body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn't through with her yet.

With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?

Bethany House Publishing, June, 2024
Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:
Buy THE HUDSON COLLECTION at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Kim and Paula #ReleaseDay

 A NOVEL OF THE ROARING TWENTIES

KIM'S REVIEW:
WOW!!! All the stars for Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel! This story has it all! Swoon worthy male character? Check. Amazing female character? Check. Romance? Check. Great banter? Check. Intriguing mystery? Check. In fact, if I were forced to choose, I would say that Walking on Hidden Wings is my favorite story by Ms. McDaniel and that is saying something! I have loved all of her other stories. They are all on my keeper shelf and I highly recommend them to everyone!

I loved Geneva! She is strong, smart, and loyal! I loved her the second she appeared on the page! Rachel McDaniel writes the absolute best female characters. They are strong, yet likable, which is very rare and takes such talent to pull off. And now, let’s talk about Warren, sigh, he is absolutely swoon worthy and I loved everything about him! He too was loyal and he didn’t compromise his principles for anyone. He was just perfect for Geneva! And did I mention swoon worthy? Romantic? Kind? Perfect? Can you tell he’s a new favorite of mine? The mystery in this story was perfection. It was very intriguing and kept me guessing and accusing everyone, with good reason, until the very end.

This is a story you do not want to miss! Rachel Scott McDaniel is one of the best storytellers out there! I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next!
*I purchased this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 amazing stars.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“Oh that invitation to adventure. There was not a cell in my being that was immune to it.” Adventure turns to danger when Geneva Hayes is accused of murdering her husband.

In 1922, Geneva feels confined by her posh lifestyle so she finds adventure in wing-walking and flying a Curtis Jenny airplane. Yes Geneva finds adventure- more than she bargained for.

There is so much to love in this book: heartache and hope, mystery and peril, and the romance of married life. The author puts it all together beautifully and gives us spiritual lessons as well. There is soul searching, learning to trust and acting out forgiveness. And there are so many possible suspects that you are constantly kept guessing. One thing remained: God’s love and provision.

Warren was a great example of compassion and steadfastness. I love Geneva and Warren as a couple. Even when they had doubts, they were there for each other.

Ms. McDaniel is on her A game with this intriguing, thrilling, romantic tale. This novel has it all and will be on my keeper shelf.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

 Back Cover Blurb:
Geneva Ashcroft Hayes's marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband's plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer--and to prove it wasn't her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva's guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend's cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

Kregel Publications, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

WHEN THE FLAMES RAVAGED by Rhona Dragomir, Reviewed by Paula for #CelebrateLitTour #Giveaway

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY BELOW!

This is book two in the A DAY TO REMEMBER series from Barbour

 

Tragedy strikes on July 6, 1944 jn Hartford, Connecticut. Evelyn Benson was supposed to join her brother and his family at the circus that fateful afternoon. Now she has to search for her missing family members after a fire sweeps through a tent with disastrous results. The story relates how Evelyn, a waitress, and Hank, a circus clown, embark on a quest to find niece Lily and nephew Jamie.

Such a heartbreaking story with many obstacles for Evelyn to overcome, including putting her trust in Hank who has his own past to deal with.

A remarkably told story of a frightening event and the grim aftermath. It was intense and sympathetic while conveying some mystery and a budding romance. It had a solid faith thread that delved into the spiritual growth of the characters.
This is the first book I have read from this author and I will be on the lookout for her next offering.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Celebrate Lit via Netgalley. I was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread 

Author Rhona Dragomir
 

BackCover Blurb:
Will Faith Perish in the Big Top’s Flames?

Introducing a new series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.

Evelyn Benson’s husband perished in the Bataan Death March but not her faith. The World War II Gold Star widow is taken in by her brother and soothed by the love of his wife and children. Evelyn refuses to cower to grief. She may not understand God’s mysterious ways, but she has never questioned Him—until the circus fire.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut, on a sweltering day one month after the Allies invaded Normandy. Among the roustabouts is a reluctant clown, Hank Webb. He may hide from his murky past behind grease paint as Fraidy Freddie, but God wants to offer Hank a chance to be found. Though first, what little Hank believes about God will endure a fiery trial.

On Thursday, July 6, 1944, a devastating blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity. 

Barbour Publishing, March, 2024

Available in digital  ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WHEN THE FLAMES RAVAGED at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

To celebrate her tour, Rhonda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card & a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2aa75/when-the-flames-ravaged-celebration-tour-giveaway

NIGHT FALLS ON PREDICAMENT AVENUE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

(A Dual-Time Murder Mystery and Suspense Fiction Book with Clean Romance)

*Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death was not ready to check out just yet.*

Mystery in a small town with only two murders in its long history. And they both have connections to the same house, an old dilapidated manor house brought back as a Bed and Breakfast, shrouded in spooky tales. Norah Richman has grown up in the house but has no love for it since her sister was murdered and the killer never found. A famous podcaster, Sebastian Blaine,comes to research the first murder and Norah agrees to help him just to put an end to all the speculation, for the body of Isabelle Addington was never discovered. 

The author captures the atmosphere of the 1910 setting and poses believable explanations for the lack of information on the first murder and its victim. Likewise, she slips into the present with unexpected events that satisfy our quest for resolution. Throughout the book, we see how fear affects different people. But as Polly speaks about her faith in her Creator, she will not let fear win. “Fear steals our joy and is the agony of those with no hope. It will not define us. Fear is the enemy we will defeat.”
Another winner from the Queen of Creepy.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and an underlying faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
As the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time.

In 1910, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Just as Effie discovers what she seeks, she finds that the blood staining the walls will forever link her to a scandal she couldn't imagine, and to a woman whose secrets promise to curse any who would expose them.

A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister's dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. When a guest is found dead, the incident is linked to Isabelle's murder, and Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its clutches and threatens far more than death.

Bethany House Publishing, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy NIGHT FALLS ON PREDICAMENT AVENUE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

THE STARLET SPY by Rachel McDaniel, Reviewed by Kim and Paula #ReleaseDay

Heroines of WWII - Book 11 (Multi-Author Series)

PAULA'S REVIEW
This was like watching a Humphrey Bogart movie in my head! Clever dialogue, mesmerizing plot and wonderful characters made this story a hit!

Amelie is a special woman who has a unique set of skills that makes her important to the allies. Swedish born, she returns to her homeland in search of important papers. It is essential that she finds them and rescues them before they fall in enemy hands.

Finn is a wealthy Swedish businessman but Amelie does not know whose side he is on. He makes a wonderful, broody hero. Amelie must test his loyalty while not divulging what her true mission is.

Ms. McDaniel states in her author notes that she had qualms about writing in a different era. She need not have worried, for she captivated me with this fascinating story. She easily slipped into WWII mode and seamlessly wove historical details into a tale that had me wishing there was more to tell. Faith was naturally included and the romance was swoony and sweet.

I am always anxious to read something from this polished author.
* I received a complimentary ebook from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread.

KIM'S REVIEW
Wow! Another incredible story penned by the amazing Rachel McDaniel!! The Starlet Spy has convinced me that Ms. McDaniel only knows how to write 5 star books - I’d give it more if I could! If you are looking for a story that will give you a major book hangover with amazing characters, a great storyline, and a perfect romance, this is the book for you!

I loved Amelie so much! She is beautiful inside and out, smart, brave, and likable. Rachel writes the best female characters! Now on to Finn…sigh, I can sum him up with just one word, perfection! I absolutely loved him and I loved them together. I knew they were perfect for each other after a beautiful moment they share, I won’t say which one because of spoilers, but it is so swoon worthy and written to such perfection you can’t help but fall in love with them. The mystery aspect kept me guessing until the very end! I was so shocked by a couple of things that I would’ve never guessed. What a great ending this story has!

The Starlet Spy is a wonderful story that will definitely be in my top reads of 2023! Do yourself a favor and read this story! And if you haven’t read Rachel McDaniel’s other stories, I highly recommend each and every one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased a copy. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. All. The. Swoon-worthy. Stars. 

 

BackCover Blurb:

Hollywood Star Turns Spy
 
In 1943, movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the “Casablanca of the North.” When top-secret atomic research goes missing in Sweden, the Allied forces scramble to recover the files before they fall into Nazi hands.

The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needs someone who’s subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion. Who better than the “all beauty, no brains” Scandinavian starlet? Fluent in three languages and possessing a brilliant memory, Amelie loathes being labeled witless but uses the misconception as her disguise. She’s tasked with searching for the crucial files, but Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in her way. Is the charming shipping magnate after the missing research? Or does he have other reasons for showing up at her every turn?

With the Gestapo on her heels, Amelie must rely on her smarts in addition to her acting skills to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies.

 

Barbour Publishing, August 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy THE STARLET SPY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 
 

Don’t miss these other stories:
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis
A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch
Season of My Enemy by Naomi Musch
Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss
On My Honor by Patty Hall
The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk
Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee

THE VANISHING AT CASTLE MOREAU by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Beauty is found in walls of stone, beauty where love begins."

Daisy Fuentes didn't see any beauty in the monstrous stone walls of Castle Moreau, only dust, cobwebs and neglect. She'd been hired to do, what exactly? It was an eerie place, an empty place, a once elegant place, but now it seemed more like a house of horrors, much like the stories that were penned by its primary inhabitant, the famed authoress, Ora Moreau Tremblay. Women were rumored to disappear after stepping onto the castle grounds, but it was too late to turn back now, Daisy had nowhere else to go.

Fast forward to the present. Another lonely young woman by the name of Cleo Clemmons was about to cross over the nearly abandoned Wisconsin castle's threshold. Apparently, Virgie Tremblay had a hoarding problem, so her celebrity grandson had hired Cleo, sight unseen, without references, to quietly and unobtrusively help his grandmother clean out the mounds of accumulation. Before she can even get started, evidence about a local disappearance is placed on the hood of her car. What in the world?

Encapsulating this intriguing story is as likely as catching a falling star, for its brilliance moves at the speed of light in dark places, very dark places as a matter of fact. Equally as impressive is the way that what lies between the pages becomes a light; a brilliant, embracing, restorative luster . . . that stubbornly refuses to be snuffed out. Hope . . . eternal. . . . crossing generations . . . rooted in faith . . . and love . . . "and sometimes, protective love was heartbreaking".

Another fascinating story, the kind that is never what it appears to be on the surface.

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:

A haunting legend. An ominous curse. A search for a secret buried deep within the castle walls.

In 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life.

In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle's curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale.

Award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright seamlessly weaves a dual-time tale of two women who must do all they can to seek the light amid the darkness shrouding Castle Moreau. 

 

Bethany House Publishing, April 4,2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE VANISHING AT CASTLE MOREAU at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

 

 

THE MOZART CODE by Rachel McMillan, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ComingSoon

Epic novel. This is one to savor and experience Vienna and Prague vicariously. I love spy stories. This one is stunning and cerebral.

Set in Prague and Vienna post WWII, this novel was all about the cold war and espionage. It is easy to see why Ms. McMillan loves these beautiful cities from her vivid descriptions of them. I have always loved spy stories and this author does spy to a T. Set partially in Vienna, the city of spies, this story drew me in with its complex plot and exemplary characters. A marriage of convenience between old English gentry was crafted with a poignant romance.

Sophie is a capable, strong heroine but is vulnerable where Simon is concerned. Simon is an exceptional agent and is still working for England in the aftermath of war. The old friends support each other but they both have secrets, one of which is their growing fondness for one another. A key point in this intriguing story is Mozart, his history and his music. It is wonderfully tied together. Sophie adores his music so much that it plays in her head and her fingers execute the pieces of music seemingly of their own volition.

A memorable story for fans of Historical Fiction with tie-ins to espionage and beautiful Prague and Vienna.
* I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a faint faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
No matter how you might try to hide in a war to escape your past, it is always close at hand.

Lady Sophia Huntington Villiers is no stranger to intrigue, as her work with Alan Turing’s Bombe Machines at Bletchley Park during the war attests. Now, as part of Simon Barre’s covert team in post-war Vienna, she uses her inimitable charm and code name Starling to infiltrate the world of relics: uncovering vital information that could tilt the stakes of the mounting Cold War. When several influential men charge her with finding the death mask of Mozart, Sophie wonders if there is more than the composer’s legacy at stake and finds herself drawn to potential answers in Prague.

Simon Barrington, the illegitimate heir of one of Sussex’s oldest estates, used the previous war to hide his insecurities about his past. Now, he uses his high breeding to gain access to all four allied quarters of the ruined city in an attempt to slow the fall of the Iron Curtain. He has been in love with Sophie Villiers since the moment he met her, and a marriage of convenience to save Simon’s estate has always kept her close. Until now, when Sophie’s mysterious client in Prague forces him to wonder if her allegiance to him - and their cause - is in question. Torn between his loyalty to his cause and his heart, Simon seeks answers about Sophie only to learn that everything he thought he knew about his involvement in both wars is based on a lie.

Thomas Nelson Publishing, March 15, 2022

(Preorder) Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy The Mozart Code at Amazon, Christianbook .com, and Baker Book House

SHADOWS OF SWANFORD ABBEY by Julie Klassen, Reviewed by Winnie and Paula

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
Julie Klassen is a personal favorite when it comes to historical fiction. Her impeccable research sets the stage for an absorbing story, while her realistically-flawed characters are colorful, interesting, and engaging. Rebecca Lane and Sir Frederick star in this Regency tale with an accompanying mystery to be solved. Klassen keeps the reader guessing as to who the murderer is with many twists and turns. The various characters all add to the complex plot and story line.

Mystery, intrigue, suspense, and a dash of romance combine to make this a captivating read which should appeal to a large variety of readers.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Julie Klassen captivates me with her Regency, English settings and well drawn characters.

Lady’s companion, Rebecca Lane, and Sir Fredrick Wilford were childhood friends. They meet up again at the mysterious Swanford Abbey which has been made into a grand hotel. While staying there, a murder occurs. Sir Fredrick, as magistrate, officiates the investigation. Ms. Klassen did a great job of giving us plenty of suspects to choose from. To flesh out the story, we are treated to lovely descriptions of all things English. I especially liked Sir Fredrick and his use of a chessboard as a tool to figure out the would be culprit.

While Fredrick is sorting out his feelings for his dead wife, Rebecca is trying to help her brother navigate poor choices, rescue his living as an author, and regain his self respect. Then there is the person in a Nun’s habit who seems to pop up unexpectedly. Could this be the person who murdered Mr. Oliver?

An interesting character was Dr. Fox who seemed a humane doctor to the mentally ill. He was knowledgeable, godly and compassionate. I also like Lady Fitzhoward , the employer of Rebecca. She was a puzzle to figure out.

This story was suspenseful, complex and spoke of justice and forgiveness.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

SEE REVIEWS BY TRIXI and KIM, AND REBECCA

BackCover Blurb:
Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric Regency tale brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance.

When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother's desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.

The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey's cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past--including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick--magistrate, widower, and former neighbor--who long ago broke her heart.

When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Frederick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something. . . 

Bethany House Publishers, December 2021

PURCHASE LINKS:

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

TWILIGHT AT MOORINGTON CROSS by Abigail Wilson, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

A will has left Amelia Pembroke with an impossible decision. She must marry a cad or a fop within the month. And they are both strangers! So many secrets at Moorington Cross. With the help of well-mannered Ewan Hawkins, solicitor of the late Mr. Cluett, Amelia sets out to find out more about her suitors.

Truth tangled among the lies. Hidden passageways, secrets concealed in unused rooms and a spooky look into a precursor of hypnotism.

Ms. Wilson’s prose is stunning: “A swallow sang from somewhere in the distance. Nature’s soothing hum. The sun shook free of a blanket of clouds lit the morning dew as it glinted across the flowers like tiny diamonds at our feet.”

With engaging, mysterious characters and a thoroughly tantalizing plot, Ms. Wilson continues to captivate me with her gothic tales. Some of the best writing of today about the obscure yesterday.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a faint faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Amelia Pembroke is in a unique position in Regency England: She can obtain financial freedom. But in order to do so, she must marry one of two gentlemen. The trouble is, she might be falling in love with another man entirely.

1819, Kent, England—Everything changed the moment Amelia became heiress to Moorington Cross. A young widow and patient at Cluett’s Mesmeric Hospital, Amelia is stunned to learn that her doctor—and the only father figure she’s ever known—has altered his will naming her his primary beneficiary. Such an opportunity is beyond what any Regency-era woman could dare to dream—especially one with a sleeping disorder that finds her falling asleep at the most random of times.

There is, however, a perplexing condition attached to the will: she must wed one of two named men, wholly unknown to her. Doing so would provide her with a secure future. But how can she marry one of these men when her heart is intrigued by the charming solicitor, Mr. Hawkins?

Everything takes on a new sense of urgency—and danger—when Mr. Cluett is found dead in his bedchamber only hours after announcing his updated will. Now Amelia only has thirty days to decide which man she will marry. But she is just as determined to uncover the truth of her benefactor’s demise with the help of Mr. Hawkins. After all, this sudden turn of events couldn’t merely be a coincidence—could it?

From award-winning author Abigail Wilson, Twilight at Moorington Cross is a mysterious Regency romance full of intrigue, mesmeric treatments, and abandoned corridors that proves love is the greatest testament of all.

Thomas Nelson, January 2022

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy Twilight at Moorington Cross at Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Baker Book House 

THE BARRISTER AND THE LETTER OF MARQUE by Todd M. Johnson, Reviewed by Winnie

Although I love Regency fiction, The Barrister and the Letter of Marque is a quite different type of story than I usually read. I decided to stretch myself a little and see what this author could do with a legal suspense book set during that time. This is the first book I’ve read by Todd M. Johnson, and, overall, I felt like it was good solid writing. While the beginning started out a little slow for me, I soon got invested in the story and was looking forward to finding out how barrister William Snopes was going to get Lady Madeleine Jameson and Captain Tuttle out of the mess they were in.

The story flowed well, was carefully crafted, and the author kept the suspense up and the twists and turns coming. I enjoyed learning more about the workings of the legal profession in Regency England. The characters were well-written and engaging. I especially liked getting to know William Snopes and Madeleine Jamison and seeing their relationship grow and change. I wouldn’t mind more tales about William Snopes.

With plenty of intrigue, suspense, historical detail, and dashes of romance and inspiration, this book has something for everyone and should especially appeal to those who enjoy historical mysteries.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.

see Paula's, Trixi's and Kim's Reviews
see Rebecca's Review

BackCover Blurb:
As a barrister in 1818 London, William Snopes has witnessed firsthand the danger of only the wealthy having their voices heard, and he's a strong advocate who defends the poorer classes against the powerful. That changes the day a struggling heiress, Lady Madeleine Jameson, arrives at his door.

In a last-ditch effort to save her faltering estate, Lady Jameson invested in a merchant brig, the Padget. The ship was granted a rare privilege by the king's regent: a Letter of Marque authorizing the captain to seize the cargo of French traders operating illegally in the Indian Sea. Yet when the Padget returns to London, her crew is met by soldiers ready to take possession of their goods and arrest the captain for piracy. And the Letter--the sole proof his actions were legal--has mysteriously vanished.

Moved by the lady's distress, intrigued by the Letter, and goaded by an opposing solicitor, Snopes takes the case. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he learns that the forces arrayed against Lady Jameson, and now himself, are even more perilous than he'd imagined.

 

Bethany House Publishing, August 3, 2021

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy The Barrister and the Letter of Marque at Amazon

Buy The Barrister and the Letter of Marque at Christianbook.com

Buy The Barrister and the Letter of Marque at Baker Book House